AIR RAID SUFFERERS

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 114, 10 November 1917, Page 6

AIR RAID SUFFERERS

NEW ZEALAND SCdodL CHILDREN'S GIFT* ,;rr.OU ODR OWN COEEBSPONBENIV) T '. ' LONDON,. 7th September The High Commissioner's Office has already received '£500 from Wellington and £170 from Southland on-account of the subscription made by New Zealand school children for the benefit of school children in East London, ivho suffered by the German air raids in the" spring. The movement was reported in cables from New Zealand, which were published here within a few days of the raids taking place and consequently the authorities concerned had ample, time to approach the High Commissioner with suggestions for the expenditmc of. the money. There was, however considerable difficulty in deciding to what authorities the funds should be entrusted.. pntti"- ' \ h uCh- 1S Pro'D»Wy the most enterprising authority m the world as regards the education and the social welfare of children, controls most of the schools which were affected. Its education committee had already in hand a scheme for , giving East End children short holidays m the country, and it was felt in some' quarters that the money subscribed by' jSew Zealand school children could not be better applied than in assisting this sctemc The Borough of Poplar comprises the area T 5jLaff£cted by the raWs,'and the Mayor ■ ot the borough was also an obvious ofncial to be consulted sioner s Office, tells me that the money was subscribed, according to their advice,' •j ni rebc of chUdren injured in tho .raid, iney found on enquiry that there were, really very few casualties suffered by eh^Wren but a considerable number had suffered from shock. The matter of providing for them had been taken in hand by the L-.C.C. and the Mayor o£ Poplar, who wore arranging for the sufferers to go with their parents for short holidays into the country. "When wecame, to enquire," Mr. Cameron adds, we found that there was no need of much assistance and that no special fund was being raised for tnc purpose m England. We have, however, paid out several amount to help to carry out the obojcts already referred to. but up to date we. have not been able to make suitabln use of all the money which has been sent home. The war is not over yet, however, and it would not do to assume that there will not be further call for such help In the meantime, it can only bo said that we have not been called upon to spend all the money which has been sent to us in order to do our fair share of what is considered necessary. :>

WHAT POPLAR IS DOING. The Mayor of Poplar, Mr. A. 11. War--ren, replies as foilowsi to my request fov some information : — "TJie money forwarded by the children of Now Zealand for the relief of children suffering from air raid, has added to x fund that the Rt. Hon William Crooks, M.P., and myself have been able to form, and from it we have sent away into ihe country for a fortnight each, and in some cases longer, some 90 mothers and 250 children, moEtly those who attended the school in which the 18 dear little ones were killed This brief holiday has been of the utmost value in helping to recuperate and recover from nerve-shock these women and children. Without this kindly thought and sympathy I hardly know what we should have done. There are still some of the children in hospital, and as they become sufficiently convalescent they will also be sent away. "If you have any opportunity, will you express the deep thanks of the Rt. Hon. William Crooks, myself, and the ladies of my committee to the children. of New. Zealand for their Kindness and practical, help?" i